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1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a tablespoon of salt.
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2
Drain the tomatoes in a colander, saving all the juice. Roughly chop the tomatoes into 1/2-inch squares. Set aside.
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3
Pour 1/2 cup water into a heavy-bottomed 12-inch stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions. Cook, stirring often, until onions have softened, and water has nearly evaporated.
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4
Add olive oil, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the skillet. Stir occasionally, and cook until onions and garlic are sizzling, about 2 minutes.
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5
Move onions and garlic to the side of the skillet to clear a space for the bacon. Add the bacon and cook until they start to render their fat, and then stir with the onions. Add the red pepper flakes, stir well, and let everything cook until bacon is crisp and onions are golden, about 5 minutes.
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6
Add the chopped tomatoes and the reserved juice, along with a cup of water. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and stir well. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil, and then turn to medium-low. Simmer sauce, adjusting the heat to make sure it doesn't boil, until it thickens, about 20 minutes.
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7
With about ten minutes left, add pasta to the boiling water. Cook according to the directions on the box. When it is al dente, remove pasta with a pair of tongs and transfer it to the skillet with the sauce. Toss over medium heat until pasta is coated in the sauce. Add 1/4 cup of the water from the pasta pot if sauce is too dry.
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8
Turn off the heat, and add grated cheese. Divide pasta between the plates and serve.
